Last Updated on March 22, 2023
If you are searching for natural Florida, Myakka River State Park should be at the top of your list. A delightful slice of scenic “real” Florida awaits you on the state’s southwest coast, east of Sarasota.
Covering approximately 58 square miles of riverine swamps, wetlands, prairies, hammocks, and pinelands, Myakka River State Park is one of the state’s oldest and largest parks.
In the 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps was charged with developing the facilities, some of which are in use today.
Myakka River State Park
Myakka is a park that has something for everyone. Visitors can hike, bike, fish, bird, boat, enjoy an old-fashioned tram ride, a canopy walk, or camp and picnic – all in the surroundings of one of the State’s most authentic Florida settings.
The best way to get an overview of Myakka is to stop at the Visitors Center and chat with the ranger. There’s a lot to do in the park, and your choices will depend on what you enjoy the most.
The Center provides educational exhibits, videos, maps, and brochures on Myakka and its wildlife. Be sure to keep your eyes open for alligators, a prime attraction to the park.
Upon leaving the Visitor Center, a glimpse of “old” Florida welcomes you. While driving along Park Drive, you’ll see towering oak trees draped with moss, and numerous stands of sabal palms, the state tree.
Myakka Outpost
Continuing along the road, you’ll notice a vast marsh before arriving at the Myakka Outpost. This is where the boat rides and tram tours begin. The Outpost also rents canoes, kayaks, and bikes.
If you want to see wildlife, consider hiking a trail, riding the airboat, visiting the birding boardwalk, or the weir (small overflow damn) at the south end of Upper Myakka Lake, where wildlife always seems to be present.
Myakka is a delightful family park. You can ride on large airboats called the Gator Gal and Myakka Maiden. The older, rustic boats reminded might remind you of the African Queen (the boat and movie with Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn).
The scenic one-hour boat ride tours Upper Myakka Lake, and is led by a knowledgeable captain. The guide will be on the lookout for wildlife, pointing out alligators, reciting facts, and plenty of Myakka folklore.
During the tourist season (winter/spring), you’ll want to go early to secure your ticket. The tours often sell out.
Additionally, you can visit the popular Myakka Canopy, an 85-foot suspended bridge high in the tree-top canopy. Visitors get a unique and special view of the subtropical hammock forest and its plant communities. Keep your eyes open for the bromeliads and lichens.
The adjoining 74-foot tower gives visitors a panorama of the park with a vista of prairies, wetlands, and forests.
Also, consider riding the Myakka Wildlife Safari tram (available mid-December through the end of May). The tours travel up an old road (built by the Civilian Conservation Corps), where you’ll view the wildlife and natural communities of pine Flatwoods, prairies, marshes, and hammocks.
Kayaking on the Myakka River
Designated as a Florida Wild and Scenic River, the Myakka gently flows through the park, allowing paddlers to see the variety of habitats that flourish there.
You can enjoy a two-hour kayak trip on the Myakka River, beginning at the Upper Lake Weir and continuing to the South picnic area.
Hire a Guide
Go with local Sarasota guide and naturalist, John Sarkozy of the Southeastern Littoral Society. [John’s phone number is 941.266.3614, and his schedule is on the Littoral Society’s website of www.sealitsoc.org.]
It is an easy, leisurely paddle downstream (one-way trip). The birding is fantastic and plentiful. Alligators are present, but not aggressive. Make sure to keep your distance, and they won’t bother you.
The best time to kayak on the river is when the water level is low (winter & spring), and the wind is calm. This is when it draws more birds to the shoreline. Also, the alligators bask on the water’s edge soaking up the sun’s warmth during the cooler temperatures.
Myakka is great for birding. On your river trip, you could spot wood storks, black-necked stilts, great blue herons, snowy egrets, glossy ibis, tricolored herons, sandpipers, roseate spoonbills, sandhill cranes, limpkins, ospreys, egrets, little blue herons, white ibis, anhingas and double-crested cormorants.
So, be sure to pack your binoculars.
Biking & Hiking
There are many trails to choose from depending on your time and ability. Again, get advice from the rangers regarding their recommendations. Keep in mind, depending on the time of year (especially during the rainy season), trail conditions will vary.
Camping
Myakka River State Park has full facilities or primitive campgrounds and five authentic old log cabins.
Looking for Alligators?
- Take a boat ride – the captains will also be on the lookout
- Take the North Drive
- Try Alligator Point
- Stop at the Park bridge
- Hike behind the concession stand to the weir, Upper Myakka Lake
Best time to spot alligators:
- Cooler temperatures but not cold (below 65 degrees). The cooler temperatures bring them out to sun on the river bank.
Alligator Info
- Rule #1: Never feed alligators (or any wildlife). It’s not only illegal but also dangerous. Feeding an alligator reduces their fear of humans
- The only place you can find alligators in the wild is the southeastern U.S.
- Alligators grow about a foot per year during the first six years
- Mating season is April-May, signified by loud bellowing
- Alligators eat fish, turtles, small mammals, frogs, snakes, and also wading birds
Regardless of what you choose to do at Myakka, be sure to enjoy your visit.
Real Florida awaits you at Myakka River State Park. Enjoy one of the state’s finest treasures. It’s well worth the trip.